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teenytabris's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Outing
bookish_slagathor's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First of all, a huge thank you to the amazing author for writing this book and gracing me with an ARC! You are the best! ❤️
Now, let’s see what this book is about.
It is advertised as a spicy queer, M/M and F/F romance fantasy in a Greek inspired world with a twist on the whole shapeshifter trope. Most of this is true for book one, although the F/F romance does not come to fruition just yet. I have a guess who the pair might end up being and I’ll be honest, I was hoping for them instead of the other thing that was being set up. But that’s all I will say on the topic cause spoilers and whatnot.
Anyhow, the story unfolds through the eyes of two MCs who cannot be more different from each other. Aurelius is a cunning, scheming hedonist who’ll do anything and anyone needed to reclaim his rightful place in society. Teigra is a shy scaredy cat who, after (wrongfully IMO) blaming herself for a tragedy in her past, will never stand up for herself and is basically a waling-talking doormat.
Both of them are sent far away from home on a secret mission to save or doom their homeland while also navigating their blossoming feelings and true self-discovery in the land of passion and intrigues.
This was insanely exciting to read! I will admit, for more than half of the book I groaned whenever we got Teigra chapters and just wanted to get back to Aurelius, but that swiftly changed in last third of the book. That character development was *chef’s kiss*.
Oh and I would also like to add that the writing is insanely good and way beyond what one would expect from a debut novel. Bravo!
All in all, I am beyond hyped for the next book in the series, for the (hopefully) upcoming F/F romance between those two people that I ship and to see how the story evolves, because it sure as hell doesn’t lack in excitement!
If you are looking for to start a good queer romantasy series with complex characters, unique setting and entertaining story, I would definitely recommend you preorder this gem.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gore, Homophobia, and Violence